Honoring Current Era Returnees Not-Forgotten-Group
Willmont (Bill) Griffin is a US Marine Corps veteran who initially served in Vietnam. In 1990, Bill was introduced to the NECHV after being homeless due to alcoholism. He first entered the NECHV out of desperation, realizing that he needed to stop drinking and drugging or else, as he puts it, “I felt that I would have died.”
“I was welcomed into the Shelter with open arms and the staff never gave up on me, as I once gave up on myself. I had lost the feeling of being welcomed by anybody and was not sure how to take this. This was the beginning of a new life for me.”
During his time as a client of the NECHV, Bill along with five other vets in recovery started up the initial AA “Not-Forgotten-Group” which to this day still meets here at the Center every Tuesday through Sunday night. It was at such a group meeting that Bill met his wife.
A lot has happened to Bill since he left the NECHV on what he describes as his “own two feet.” “The Center gave me the courage to venture out to become a well-respected construction inspector for Stone & Webster Engineering working on the Deer Island Outfall and Interisland tunnels.” From there, Bill then went on to work for several other tunnel infrastructure projects, such as the Ted Williams Tunnel, the Metro West Water Supply Tunnel, the Con Edison Steam Tunnel Project and the Manhattan Water Tunnel Project, in New York. He has also since received his Associates Degree in Business Administration, graduating with honors, and recently earned a Bachelors degree in Project Management graduating Magna Cum Laude. The New England Center for Homeless Veterans selected Bill as the 2009 recipient of the "Battlefield Citation Award" in recognition of his outstanding example of how perseverance, hard work and the will to turn one’s life around can result in positive contributions to society.
Bill most recently enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard, and was deployed to Iraq, where he was assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineers Squadron stationed at Sather Air Base. Before leaving Baghdad following his tour of duty, Bill arranged to have a 3x5 flag flown over the base, in honor of the veterans served by NECHV saying that: “I owe my life to the efforts of the men and women who work so hard to make sure that no veteran is left behind, forgotten, and or homeless.”
“The NECHV helped guide me along the path,” says Bill. “I stumbled but someone was always there to help me get up. I am now able to pat myself on the back, which for me was a big step as I gave up on myself for so long. I am able to walk with my head high and try to live life as it was meant to be lived, and I am still married to that wonderful woman that I met there at the Center,” says Bill.
“I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am that there was a shelter there full of people who never forgot the veterans. Yes, we may not know each other but we are still a "Band of Brothers" bonded by our military experiences. You are a shining example of the "No Man/Woman Left Behind." I stand and Salute you and all your staff for your dedication to all veterans. Thank you.” SEMPER FIDELIS Willmont Griffin
Battlefield Citation Award
Bill Griffin was selected by NECHV in 2009 as the “Battlefield Citation” award recipient in recognition of his outstanding example of how “perseverance, hard work and the will to turn one’s life around can result in positive contributions to society.” The following video highlights more of Bill’s story.
Additional print media and video reports on Bill Griffin’s experience at the NECHV by Boston Globe columnist Bill Cullen can be found at the following links:
Honoring Current Era Returnees
